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Astros make promotional video for Lee

Astros make promotional video for Lee

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By Alyson Footer
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MLB.com |

PITTSBURGH -- In an effort to send their fans to their computers to vote early and often for outfielder Carlos Lee, the Astros made a promotional video to try to boost the balloting for Lee in the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com.

The commercial, which will run this week during Astros telecasts, begins with a close-up of Lee.

"Hi, I'm Carlos Lee," he says. "And I approved this message."

Considering this is a real-life election year, Lee's promotional push is all too fitting. He even has a slogan -- "Dedicated to driving in runs" -- and he receives on-camera support from teammates Lance Berkman, Brad Ausmus and Miguel Tejada.

Television announcer Bill Brown does the voiceovers.

"He's the right man, at the right time, for the National League All-Star team," Brown bellows.

Lee is going to need a strong push to the finish line if he is to win the NL Final Vote. Right now, he's in last place among the final five candidates, behind front-running Corey Hart, David Wright, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand.

Two days of furious fan balloting in the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com has seen more than 21 million votes, with Rays rookie third baseman Evan Longoria and Milwaukee's Hart each maintaining small advantages in their respective leagues.

The number of votes cast has nearly surpassed the overall record for total votes, 23.1 million, set in 2007. With 48 hours remaining in the voting period and ballots coming in at this fevered pace, each race is too close to call and neither margin should be considered safe. The online voting will continue until 4 p.m. CT on Thursday.

In addition, fans can cast their votes via their mobile phones by texting the word "Vote" to 36197 to receive the Monster All-Star Game Final Vote candidates. In Canada, fans should text the word "Vote" to 88555.

Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.